In the heart of South Pittsburg, Tennessee, resides a remarkable woman known affectionately as “The Hat Lady” – Mrs. Pam Collier.  To date Mrs. Pam has made 1,350 hats to warm the heads of her community. 

Originally hailing from Nottingham, England, and later Colorado, Pam embarked on a transformative journey that led her to the tight-knit community of South Pittsburg in 2014.

Pam’s story takes an extraordinary turn as she moved to South Pittsburg to provide her mother, battling Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), with a better life in her final years on Earth. Little did she know that this move would not only bring comfort to her mother but also cultivate a deep love and sense of belonging within the community.

To occupy her hands and mind while caring for her beloved mother, Pam found solace in knitting.  Though she attributes her base knowledge of knitting to her granny, it was her preacher and Whitwell Middle School Librarian, Mr. Isaac Blevins, who helped her regain her abilities with classes. What began as a personal hobby soon evolved into a heartwarming mission to uplift the spirits of the South Pittsburg community. In the wake of the challenging times brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and the passing of her mother, Pam initiated a unique idea popularized in England – Yarn Bombing.

With creative flair, Pam started knitting vibrant decorations to adorn the city, infusing bursts of color and joy into the lives of her fellow residents. The act of Yarn Bombing became a symbol of resilience and community spirit, providing a glimmer of hope during dark times. 2020 was also the year she began sharing her hats with her community.

   “I was raised by a mother that did for people,” says Collier. “I don’t have a lot, but this is something I can do and it makes a difference. I know my creations make people happy, but seeing people in my ‘happy hats,’ that fills my cup.”

Pam continues her ongoing commitment to spreading love, unity, and compassion through her hat-making and giving. Throughout the year, she knits hats with the goal of distributing them for free to community members in need. The numbers tell a tale of compassion and dedication. In the past year alone, Pam created a staggering 437 hats, each a unique piece of art infused with care and warmth. Every Friday in December through the beginning of February 25 to 30 hats find their place on the Giving Tree, ready to be claimed. Pam’s Giving Tree outside her own home stands as a testament to her generosity, offering warmth to those in search of comfort and protection against the cold.

“It’s like a ministry for me,” says Collier. “At this point I’ve put hats on one-third of the heads in this town. Now working as the Bookkeeper for SPES, I see kids coming into school with my hats and it just fills my heart that these kids have warm ears.”

Amidst her ongoing commitment to spreading warmth and joy, Pam’s compassionate heart led her to conceptualize an ambitious project in February 2022. Despite the restrictions of Covid-19, where physical hugs were prohibited, Pam envisioned creating a yarn bombing project to make a heart for every person in town – a remarkable 3,041 hearts. Her intention was clear: even though hugging was not allowed, she wanted people to be reminded every day that they are loved.

“I am a hugger, and I was so tired of not being able to,” says Collier. “I felt a bit of loneliness and realized others were feeling desperately depressed and lonely as well. I saw a need in the community and wanted to let them know they were not alone.”

Undaunted by the seemingly impossible task, Pam reached out to knitters across the globe, enlisting help from England, Australia, Spain, and various parts of the United States. The response was overwhelming, and in just two weeks, over 3,400 hearts were lovingly crafted and hung around the town.

As “The Heartfelt Hat Lady,” Pam seamlessly weaves threads of hope and compassion throughout South Pittsburg. Whether through Yarn Bombing, heart projects, or her ongoing hat-giving initiative, Mrs. Pam Collier remains a beacon of warmth in her small town. Her journey from across the globe to the heart of Tennessee is a testament to the profound impact one individual can have on a community. Mrs. Pam continues to knit not just hats but also a sense of unity and compassion into the valley, making her an extraordinary role model for us all.

I you would like to help Mrs. Pam with her amazing cause email pamhappyhats@gmail.com